Awakening Of Uchiha [Naruto/One Piece]

Chapter 24: Danzo's Counter-Plot

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"Of course!"

Danzo said matter-of-factly, "Hiruzen has already pointed out that this is an open conspiracy. Direct opposition won't work, so we can only go with the flow and wait for the right moment to seize the initiative!"

"I've already sent some Root ninjas and Shimura clan members to sign up. I believe we can secure some positions!"

"You should also send some ninjas from your clans to apply."

"Try to take as many spots in this brigade as possible. Once that happens, this brigade will be under our control!"

"We can then rely on this brigade to gradually erode the authority of the Guard. At the same time, we can use the Guard's name to further tarnish Uchiha's reputation and make them even more infamous."

Don't they want to cleanse their bad reputation? Danzo was determined not to let that happen.

"You can't occupy all the positions!"

At this moment, the Third Hokage shook his head and rejected Danzo's suggestion.

"This matter has been widely publicized and is known to countless civilian ninjas and those from small and medium-sized clans."

"Many of them have already signed up."

"Not to mention whether Uchiha would even agree to select only our people—"

"Even if they did, we can't allow it."

"If we monopolize all the spots, it will be obvious that we're behind it."

"Those civilian ninjas and members of small clans who are left out will likely direct their anger and resentment at us!"

Hiruzen had no intention of doing anything that would bring trouble upon himself.

Danzo, as usual, was too brash!

Danzo snorted disdainfully. "They're just civilian ninjas and members of minor clans. Why should we care?"

"At worst, we can blame Uchiha and claim they were trying to curry favor with us!"

The Third Hokage and his advisors exchanged exasperated glances.

Homura spoke up, clearly annoyed. "Danzo, do you even hear what you're saying?"

"It's common knowledge that Uchiha doesn't get along with us. Who would believe they'd try to please us?"

"Besides, as Hiruzen just said, Uchiha has control over the selection process, not us. Stop entertaining these absurd ideas!"

"Exactly!"

Utatane nodded in agreement, equally exasperated.

Danzo always managed to come up with schemes that harmed others for his own benefit. They were used to it by now.

Frowning, Danzo turned to the Third Hokage. "Hiruzen, can't you summon Uchiha Kaori and pressure her into giving in?"

He wasn't ready to give up just yet.

This was a prime opportunity to weaken Uchiha's influence while strengthening the reach of his own Root organization. Letting it slip away would be a waste.

After all, Danzo's ambitions didn't stop at opposing Uchiha; he also coveted the position of Hokage.

In his mind, if he hadn't spoken just a step slower than Hiruzen, the role of Hokage would have been his.

The Third Hokage sighed, his tone more resigned than frustrated.

"Danzo, we're talking about Uchiha Kaori, who has already recovered to her peak."

"Don't tell me you haven't heard about that."

"Are you seriously expecting her to compromise with us or listen to our demands?"

"Haven't you noticed how she's recently countered many of the strategies we've used against Uchiha?"

"Be realistic."

"You can send your people to apply and take as many spots as you can. But that's all we can do for now."

"There's still plenty of time. We'll proceed slowly."

"Kaori's age and health will eventually catch up with her. Even if she's returned to her peak condition for now, I don't believe she'll outlive us."

"When she's gone, everything will become much easier."

"In the meantime, we can subtly influence and support an Uchiha who aligns with our interests to take over as clan leader in the future."

They didn't need a strong Uchiha head like Uchiha Kaori.

A weaker Uchiha head who knew how to compromise was a good head!

"That's the only way!" Danzo said reluctantly, frowning.

"That's it! I'm leaving first!"

After saying that, Danzo left in a hurry.

The Third Hokage and his advisors exchanged bewildered looks.

"Let's act quickly and have some of our clansmen submit their applications! I hope some of them can be selected!" Hiruzen said immediately to Utatane and Homura.

"Okay!"

Without delay, the three of them began to act.

---

The next day, at the Guard Headquarters, the Third Elder presented a compiled application list to Uchiha Kaori.

"Lady Kaori, the list is here!"

"There are more than a thousand people who have signed up, including Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura's clansmen, as well as some people from the Root and Anbu. What should we do with these people? Eliminate them all directly?"

"No need!" Kaori shook her head.

"Most of them will be civilian ninjas or people from small and medium-sized ninja clans. Divide by block and select a group of ninjas from nearby areas. Then you can let them be responsible for the areas near their homes."

"As neighbors, it will be much easier for them to mediate civil disputes and reduce unnecessary conflicts."

"Pay attention to clearly plan and sort out the patrol areas of each team!"

"However, most of the team leaders and squadron leaders of these teams can be arranged by the Shimura clan, the Sarutobi clan, Mitokado's clan, or even the families who sent them."

"This..."

The Third Elder frowned and hesitated. "If they become members of the police team, won't they act under Uchiha's name and deliberately tarnish our Uchiha reputation?"

"How can it be so simple?" Kaori smiled faintly.

"Who would truly believe they represent Uchiha? Who would truly believe they are acting in Uchiha's interests?"

"People's hearts are the most uncontrollable thing."

"Furthermore, we can set up an inspection department in the second brigade to secretly monitor and record the law enforcement practices of the third brigade."

"And, we can secretly and continuously spread the true identities of these people, transferring public grievances back onto them!"

"We could even post records of these people's violations of rules and regulations on the public notice board and openly report them for criticism!"

"Remember to include their affiliations when the time comes."

"You have a siege plan, and I have a ladder to climb over the wall. It depends on whose means are more clever!"

"Lady Kaori is smart! I'll get started right away!" The Third Elder smiled, giving Uchiha Kaori a thumbs-up.

This was indeed a clever plan.

"Good! That's settled then!"

After Kaori personally selected a group of people, she paid special attention to a Genin named Might Duy, as recommended by Katsumi, and chose him as well.

She then handed the list to the Third Elder and instructed, "I have selected some; you can choose the rest!"

"Remember to ensure civilians and small and medium-sized ninja clan members form the majority."

"Take care to include as many small and medium-sized ninja clan members as possible."

"This is also an opportunity for us to contact and make allies among these small and medium-sized clans and even civilian ninjas."

"Don't mess it up!"

Preparation is essential to success; without it, all efforts would be wasted.

"Yes!" The Third Elder quickly accepted the list and nodded in agreement.

Kaori then stood up and left.

---

The next morning, the roster for the third brigade was publicly announced.

At the same time, detailed patrol area assignments and comprehensive law enforcement guidelines were released for the members of the Guard.

Those selected were overjoyed, while those who weren't could only leave in disappointment.